Lou Don R. Corbell was born on June 2, 1933 in Hominy, Oklahoma. He passed away peacefully at home on May 30, 2020 with his family by his side. Lou Don was the only child born to Walter and Mildred Corbell. After graduating from Muskogee Central High School in 1951, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, which brought him to Ellington Field Air Force Base in Houston, Texas. After arriving in Houston, he met the love of his life JoAnn (Adams) Corbell, who he was married to for 43 years before JoAnn passed in 1998. After serving in the Air Force, Lou Don worked at Goodyear Chemical plant where he retired after working there 38 years.
Lou Don was heavily involved in the Houston Gun Collectors Association, where he met countless friends and fellow collectors. He also spent many years coaching little league baseball. Lou Don was a big fan of Westerns and could always be found catching old episodes of The Virginian, Gunsmoke, or any Western movie (especially The High Chapparal) that was playing on TV. Lou Don loved being surrounded by family and rooting for Oklahoma football (and occasionally Alabama). He loved the Houston Astros and Blue Bell homemade vanilla or black walnut ice cream.
Lou Don is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Mildred, wife, JoAnn Corbell and son Craig Corbell I. He is survived by his daughter, Donna (Corbell) Tremont and son-in-law Barry Tremont, son Brian Corbell and daughter-in-law Cindy Corbell, his grandchildren Craig Corbell II, Christy (Tremont) Ankrom, Matthew Tremont, Casey Corbell, Ashley (Bunton) Luna, and Cody Corbell, as well as many great-grandchildren.
Lou Don will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He always had a smile and a story for every occasion, as he loved conversation in any form he could have it. He was a genius at re-purposing everything from coffee cans to Velcro, and there was nothing he encountered that he couldn’t fix, repair, or re-do. His mind was a true steel trap and nothing escaped his notice or notation. He knew so much “stuff” and was always willing to share what he knew. He loved his family more than anything in the world, even coffee and pecans.
The family is grateful for the numerous healthcare workers and doctors who took care of him over the last decade. A private graveside service will be held. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center in memory of Lou Don and JoAnn Corbell.
